Algerian nationals applying for study visas in France have voiced their concerns about the bothersome administrative procedures to file their applications. Due to the situation, some Algerian students start their application process before their final year of studies.
The process of Algerians applying for a student visa includes a lengthy process, starting with completing files, securing a spot at universities in France, passing the language proficiency test, paying university fees, as well as paying a transfer fee of €8,000 while also securing accommodation, Schengen.News reports.
The number of Algerian students in France is on an upward trend, as in 2022, there were 32,147 Algerian students in France – up by four per cent compared to the previous year.
Algerians’ Spending for Study Visa Applications Can Exceed €10,000
The process of obtaining a study visa is not simple. Any application to study at a French university has to go through Campus France, which assists students in preparing their academic projects.
Candidates then need to submit the electronic and paper applications, sending them to the universities they want to apply to while ensuring they finish the French language test and the interview. In other words, all the applications at French universities have to be completed while in Algeria, including paying the applicant and language test fees, which can be done at the French Institute of Algiers or its branches.
The same revealed that some families in Algeria often sell their property to support their children while studying in France, as LeMonde reports.
Refusals Often Are Not Explained Clearly, Algerian Students Say
Amani and Manal, two Algerian students, say that obtaining a student visa is unpredictable. Despite having to go through a lengthy process, it is never guaranteed that the student will be granted a study visa.
Moreover, applicants who have had their request denied often need clarification on why that happened, with many believing that refusals are happening due to the French authorities not wanting to bring more Algerian students to the country.
This situation is drifting Algerian students, the second-largest international student community after Moroccans, away from France as their endless attempts are met with frequent rejections.
Source: https://schengen.news/algerian-students-denounce-lengthy-complex-procedures-for-french-study-visas/
